Lawnmower safety

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to safety improvements for mowers incorporating a chipper, and/or catcher. In one aspect the invention provides safety improvements that only allow operation of the chipper when the mower is below a predetermined threshold ride height. In another aspect, the mower includes one or more side skirts to prevent body parts from entering the cutting zone under the mower. In a still further aspect, the mower has a rear flap including a sub-flap. The mower is arranged so that the sub flap remains closed when a catcher is installed.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to walk-behind lawnmowers for cuttinggrass. In particular the invention relates to safety improvements formowers incorporating a shredder or chipper, and/or catcher.

2. Summary of the Prior Art

Push-behind or walk-behind lawnmowers with a powered cutting mechanismare well-known. Mowers of this type normally include a generallycentrally located deck or housing that has an integral side wall whichruns around the perimeter of a generally horizontally oriented deck orhousing, and which is aligned substantially vertically running downwardstowards the ground. The mower also has a powered cutting mechanism suchas a pair of rotating blades, or a plurality of blades, located underthe deck and inside the integral side wall. Items such as the engine orpower source for the blades are generally located above the deck,attached to the top of the deck. The area bounded by the deck and sidewall generally forms a cutting area under the mower.

Mowers usually also include a clippings catcher which catches cut grassclippings. This is normally located at the rear of the mower, attachedto the rear of the deck or housing.

While so-called hover mowers are known, such as those produced by‘Flymo’, most mowers also include wheels, usually located at the fourcorners of the deck.

Generally, there are two main ways in which mowers can bepowered—electrically or by a petrol motor. Electric mowers are usuallypowered by an electrical cable connected between the mower and a mainsoutlet. Electric mowers can also be powered by a battery mounted on themachine. Petrol powered mowers are generally known as motor mowers, withthe motor included as part of the mower so the mower is self-containedor self-sufficient.

It is common for the cutting mechanism to be formed as a disc thatincludes at least a pair of cutting blades, aligned at 180 degrees toone another to rotate around a central point, the tips of the bladesforming a cutting circle or cutting disc as they rotate. Other types ofblade mounting arrangements are also employed, such as the so-called barblade where both ends of a single bar are sharpened to form cuttingedges. The power for the cutting mechanism is provided from a powersource. The power source is generally located on top of the deck (e.g.the motor), and a drive shaft extends downwards through the deck topower the cutting blades. For ‘push’ type or user-propelled mowers ofeither the electric or motor mower type, a user is required to push themower in order to move it in the direction in which they wish toproceed—the power source does not provide movement power for the moweras a whole, just the cutting mechanism.

However, for some mowers, such as the ‘Masport® series 19 MSV 550self-propelled’, power is also drawn from the motor in order to propelthe mower forwards, a user controlling the movement direction of themower by exerting sideways pressure on the handle, and the speed of boththe mower and (if required) the blades by way of controls on the mowerhandle. Mowers of this type are generally known as self-propelledmowers.

As the mower moves forward, the tips of the blades contact the grass andcut it. The motion of the blades flings the grass clippings around theinside of the mower cutting area under the deck and towards the rear ofthe mower in a slingshot effect. The Masport® series 19 mowers aredesigned to take advantage of this effect, by having a deck with anoverall volute shape, with one side of the deck formed as an expandingfunnel The motion of the blades causes the grass clippings and thesurrounding air to be channelled along this funnel and out of the rearof the mower. In order to maximise this effect and to increaseefficiency it is important that this channel is smooth and that thereare no internal impediments which might disrupt the air flow or preventthe grass clippings from being thrown to the rear of the mower.

As well as cutting grass, some types of mowers may also be adapted todispose of heavier garden waste or garden refuse such as a smallbranches or similar This is useful where a user may not require adedicated static chipper/shredder unit such as are known in theindustry, but where the user may encounter circumstances or situationswhere as well as cutting the grass, they need to quickly and easily dealwith or dispose of other, heavier types of garden refuse such as smallwindfall branches or similar. It is known to incorporate a small chipperor shredder into push mowers so that a user can achieve this. An exampleof a push mower that incorporates a chipper/shredder would be the‘Masport® series 19 MSV 3′N′1 Combo’. This is a user-propelled or ‘push’type mower that includes a chipper shredder. A chipper tube is locatedon the top of the housing, aligned upwards and angled slightly backwardstowards the mower handle. If a user needs to dispose of garden refusesuch as small branches or similar, these are dropped or pushed into thetop of the tube, passing down the tube into the cutting area under thehousing and side wall. The ‘Masport® series 19 MSV 3′N′1 Combo’ includesa second, heavier, bar blade located above the grass cutting blade, withboth cutting systems powered by a single drive shaft directly connectedto the motor which is located on top of the housing, so that the grasscutting blades and the chipping blades rotate around a single axis.Refuse passing down the tube and entering the cutting area will contactthe heavier chipping blades first. This refuse is chipped or shredded bythe upper cutting blade or blades, and the resulting chips are disposedof in the same manner as the grass clippings produced by the lower grasscutting blade are disposed of.

In the ‘Masport® series 19 MSV 3′N′1 Combo, clippings are disposed of bybeing flung or thrown by the cutting blades around the outside perimeterof the cutting space in a centrifugal manner in a similar manner to theway grass clippings are disposed of as outlined above. In order to aidin this disposal and centrifugal style throwing of clippings, theinterior space under the deck and side wall (the cutting area) isvolute-shaped in the Masport® Series 19 mowers. The mower deck includesan exit aperture at the rear to which a catcher can be connected in use.The chippings and grass clippings are flung around the outside perimeterof the cutting space and through this aperture. With a catcher connectedto the rear of the mower, the chippings and grass clippings arecollected in the catcher.

For mowers which include a chipper/shredder, where both the grasscutting blades and the chipper blades are arranged to rotate about asingle axis, it is highly desirable that the deck is configured in sucha manner that the rotation of the blades will sweep grass clippings andchippings around the cutting space and then into a collector, grasscatcher or similar. In the Masport® Series 19 mowers, this is achievedby shaping the deck as a volute, as noted above, with an exit apertureextending across the rear of the mower. The clippings and chippings areswept in a circular motion around the volute and then flung backwards(and possibly slightly sideways across the mower from one side to theother), through the exit aperture and then (usually but not necessarily)into a collector at the rear.

Push type mowers that include a chipper/shredder for the disposal ofheavier garden waste such as small windfall branches are known, asoutlined above. The chipper/shredder blades on these combination mowerstend to be heavier than mower blades, and it is important that as far aspractical, users are protected and prevented from being able to placethemselves in a position of danger.

In general, the height of the mower above the ground (the ‘ride height’or ‘cutting height’) can be adjusted. This is usually achieved byadjusting the deck and associated elements (i.e. the engine and theblades) relative to the wheels. This usually means that the size of thegap between the lower edge of the side wall and the ground changes.

It is also desirable in mowers to create ‘rake’. That is, a change inthe size of the gap between the front and the rear—e.g. a gap of 10 mmbetween the ground and the lower edge at the front of the mower and agap of 20 mm at the rear. This allows air to circulate more freely andimproves efficiency.

The present application claims priority from two New Zealand provisionalapplications being: NZ 589942 and NZ590235. Both these specificationsare hereby incorporated into the present application by way of referencein their entirety.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,172,351 describes a mower which has a detachable sideshield. The purpose of the side shield is to prevent the ejection ofitems that might cause harm or damage from the interior cutting spaceunder the mower.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,125 describes a mower that has a skirt attached tothe sidewall. It is stated that the purpose of the skirt is to preventdebris from being thrown from the housing.

In this specification where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mower andshredder/chipper combination that goes some way towards overcoming thedisadvantages of the prior art such as are found with the devicesdescribed above, or which at least provides users with a useful choice.

According to one aspect the invention comprises a lawn mower with anintegral chipper or shredder, comprising:

-   -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades, connected to the drive        shaft within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes        the at least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a        substantially horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least        one chipper blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal        chipping plane,    -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having a lid which is        normally closed when the mower is operating, the lid fitted with        a cut-off mechanism so that if the lid is opened when the ride        height or cutting height of the mower has been adjusted to above        a predetermined threshold height, the cut-off mechanism will        stop the mower engine.

According to a further aspect the predetermined threshold ride height isthe lowest ride height setting.

According to a further aspect the cut-off mechanism is a wire connectedbetween the chipper tube lid and the mower engine,

-   -   the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, and cut-off wire all        dimensioned and adjusted so that the lawnmower engine will run        without interruption when the lid is closed, but the wire will        be pulled beyond the engine cut-off point and stop the engine        when the lid is opened if the mower is adjusted to any point        above a predetermined ride height.

According to a further aspect the lawnmower is fitted with a pair ofmicroswitches, the first microswitch connected to the lid of the chippertube, and arranged to be open when the lid is closed,

-   -   a second microswitch located and arranged such that it is open        when the mower is below a predetermined threshold ride height,    -   such that the lawnmower engine will be stopped from running when        the lid is opened, and the mower is above said a predetermined        threshold ride height.

According to a further aspect the engine is stopped by grounding theprimary winding of the ignition coil.

According to a further aspect the integral lid is spring-loaded andbiased towards the closed position, the lid fitted with a catch whichoperates when the mower is set to the lowest ride or cut height to holdthe lid in a fully open position, the mower fitted with a safetymechanism so that if the ride height is adjusted away from the lowestsetting, the catch will disengage and the spring will bias the lidtowards the closed position.

According to a further aspect the safety mechanism is a bowden wireconnected between the chipper tube lid and the mower body, thelawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire all dimensioned andadjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest ride or cut heightposition, the catch can engage the lid to hold the lid open, and if themower is adjusted away from the lowest ride or cut height position, thebowden wire will be pulled or tensioned beyond a cut-off point todisengage the catch and the spring will bias the lid towards the closedposition.

According to a further aspect the lawnmower further has a rear flap,connected to and pivoting from the top rear edge of the deck to allow agrass catcher to be attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and inthe most preferred embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open topof) a detachable grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, therear flap facing downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of thedeck when a grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having asub-flap which can open and close independently of the main flap, themower further fitted with a safety clip, adapted so that at least thesub-flap cannot be raised any higher than the normal operating positionthat the flap and sub-flap would be in when a grass catcher wereattached.

According to a further aspect the lawnmower further has a rear flap,connected to and pivoting from the top rear edge of the deck to allow agrass catcher to be attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and inthe most preferred embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open topof) a detachable grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, therear flap facing downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of thedeck when a grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having asub-flap which can open and close independently of the main flap, themower further fitted with a biasing mechanism that is adapted to biasthe flap and sub-flap towards a closed position at least when a grasscatcher is attached to the mower.

According to a further aspect the biasing mechanism is a wire, at leastpart of the body of the wire formed as a spring, the first end of thewire connected to the mower body, the second end connected to the subflap, the connection points and the dimensions of the wire chosen suchthat when the flap and sub-flap are raised into a position the same asor similar to the position that the flap and sub-flap would be in with agrass catcher attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion ofthe wire will be in tension.

According to a further aspect the location of the connection points andthe dimensions of the wire are chosen so that the spring is only just intension when the flap and sub-flap are raised into the same or a similarposition to that which they would be in with a grass catcher attached.

According to a further aspect at least the first end of the wire isformed as an eyelet.

According to a further aspect the wire is formed so that that part ofthe wire formed as a spring can move and pivot freely relative to theremainder of the wire when not in tension.

According to a further aspect that part of the wire formed as a springis uppermost when the grass catcher is connected.

According to another aspect the invention comprises a lawn mower with anintegral chipper or shredder, comprising:

-   -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft        within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at        least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially        horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one chipper        blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping plane,    -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral        spring-loaded lid which is biased towards the closed position,        the lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower is set        to the lowest ride or cut height to hold the lid in a fully open        position, the mower fitted with a safety mechanism so that if        the ride height is adjusted away from the lowest setting, the        catch will disengage and the spring will bias the lid towards        the closed position.

According to a further aspect the safety mechanism is a bowden wireconnected between the chipper tube lid and the mower body, thelawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire all dimensioned andadjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest ride or cut heightposition, the catch can engage the lid to hold the lid open, and if themower is adjusted away from the lowest ride or cut height position, thebowden wire will be pulled or tensioned beyond a cut-off point todisengage the catch and the spring will bias the lid towards the closedposition.

According to a further aspect the lawnmower further has a rear flap,connected to and pivoting from the top rear edge of the deck to allow agrass catcher to be attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and inthe most preferred embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open topof) a detachable grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, therear flap facing downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of thedeck when a grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having asub-flap which can open and close independently of the main flap, themower further fitted with a biasing mechanism that is adapted to biasthe flap and sub-flap towards a closed position at least when a grasscatcher is attached to the mower.

According to a further aspect the biasing mechanism is a wire, at leastpart of the body of the wire formed as a spring, the first end of thewire connected to the mower body, the second end connected to the subflap, the connection points and the dimensions of the wire chosen suchthat when the flap and sub-flap are raised into a position the same asor similar to the position that the flap and sub-flap would be in with agrass catcher attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion ofthe wire will be in tension.

According to a further aspect the location of the connection points andthe dimensions of the wire are chosen so that the spring is only just intension when the flap and sub-flap are raised into the same or a similarposition to that which they would be in with a grass catcher attached.

According to a further aspect at least the first end of the wire isformed as an eyelet.

According to a further aspect the wire is formed so that that part ofthe wire formed as a spring can move and pivot freely relative to theremainder of the wire when not in tension.

According to a further aspect that part of the wire formed as a springis uppermost when the grass catcher is connected.

According to another aspect the invention comprises a lawn mower,comprising:

-   -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, connected to the        drive shaft within the cutting space so that the drive shaft        causes the at least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a        substantially horizontal grass cutting plane,    -   a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from the top rear edge of        the deck to allow a grass catcher to be attached in use, the        rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred embodiment        acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable grass        catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing        downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck        when a grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a        sub-flap which can open and close independently of the main        flap, the mower further fitted with a biasing mechanism that is        adapted to bias the flap and sub-flap towards a closed position        at least when a grass catcher is attached to the mower.

According to a further aspect the biasing mechanism is a wire, at leastpart of the body of the wire formed as a spring, the first end of thewire connected to the mower body, the second end connected to the subflap, the connection points and the dimensions of the wire chosen suchthat when the flap and sub-flap are raised into a position the same asor similar to the position that the flap and sub-flap would be in with agrass catcher attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion ofthe wire will be in tension.

According to a further aspect the location of the connection points andthe dimensions of the wire are chosen so that the spring is only just intension when the flap and sub-flap are raised into the same or a similarposition to that which they would be in with a grass catcher attached.

According to a further aspect at least the first end of the wire isformed as an eyebolt.

According to a further aspect the wire is formed so that that part ofthe wire formed as a spring can move and pivot freely relative to theremainder of the wire when not in tension.

According to a further aspect that part of the wire formed as a springis uppermost when the grass catcher is connected.

According to a further aspect the lawnmower also has at least onechipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft withinthe cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at least one grasscutting blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal grass cuttingplane and the at least one chipper blade to rotate in a substantiallyhorizontal chipping plane, and

-   -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral        spring-loaded lid which is biased towards the closed position,        the lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower is set        to the lowest ride or cut height to hold the lid in a fully open        position, the mower fitted with a safety mechanism so that if        the ride height is adjusted away from the lowest setting, the        catch will disengage and the spring will bias the lid towards        the closed position.

According to a further aspect the safety mechanism is a bowden wireconnected between the chipper tube lid and the mower body, thelawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire all dimensioned andadjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest ride or cut heightposition, the catch can engage the lid to hold the lid open, and if themower is adjusted away from the lowest ride or cut height position, thebowden wire will be pulled or tensioned beyond a cut-off point todisengage the catch and the spring will bias the lid towards the closedposition.

According to another aspect the invention comprises a lawn mower with anintegral chipper or shredder, comprising:

-   -   a deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft        within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at        least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially        horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one chipper        blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping plane,    -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral        spring-loaded lid which is biased towards the closed position,        the lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower is set        to a ride height setting above a predetermined threshold, to        lock the lid in a closed position.

According to a further aspect the catch allows the lid to lock closedwith the mower in any ride height position when the lid is moved from anopen position to a closed position.

The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting atleast in part of”. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” areto be interpreted in the same manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts,elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification ofthe application, individually or collectively, and any or allcombinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, andwhere specific integers are mentioned herein which have knownequivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such knownequivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually setforth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a mower.

FIG. 2 shows a left hand side view of the mower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the mower as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 4 a shows a close up perspective view (with partial cut away) ofthe mower of FIGS. 1 to 3 fitted with one variant of a skirt on the sidewall of the mower.

FIGS. 4 b shows a close up perspective view (with partial cut away) ofthe mower of FIGS. 1 to 3 fitted with another variant of a skirt on theside wall of the mower.

FIGS. 4 c shows a close up perspective view (with partial cut away) ofthe mower of FIGS. 1 to 3 fitted with yet another variant of a skirt onthe side wall of the mower.

FIG. 5 a shows detail of a first preferred form of safety mechanism forthe mower, showing detail of a chipper tube with a spring-loaded lidshown in a closed position.

FIG. 5 b shows detail of a first preferred form of safety mechanism forthe mower, showing detail of a chipper tube with a spring-loaded lidshown in an open position.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the mower of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing oneform of grass cutting blade and chipper blade.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a mower (without catcher shown) with thecable and spring schematically illustrated as it would be “in use” witha catcher attached, and biasing the flap and sub flap towards a closedposition.

FIG. 8 shows detail of the mower of FIG. 7 with a grass catcher notattached to the mower, the figure showing the wire at a ‘slackposition’, the flap shown closed and the sub-flap shown slightly open ina manner that in use would allow grass to discharge through the sub-flapaperture.

FIG. 9 shows a side perspective view of the mower and catcher with thesub-flap above the normal ‘in use’ position.

FIG. 10 shows detail of a circuit diagram for a circuit that operatesincluding two micro-switches

FIG. 11 shows detail of a cable or wire which is used as part of abiasing mechanism that is adapted to bias at least a flap and preferablyalso a sub-flap towards a closed position.

FIG. 12 shows detail of a preferred latching mechanism, shownuninstalled on a mower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides improvements to a lawnmower which alsoincludes a chipper or shredder.

A mower 1 according to one preferred form of the invention is shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The main part of the mower is a deck 2 which isgenerally shaped to have the overall form of a volute, the deckincluding an expanding funnel 60 which forms part of the volute andwhich runs along the right hand side of the deck, expanding towards therear of the mower. The rear of the mower deck 2 at least partly forms anexit or exit aperture for the funnel 60. The mower also has an integralside wall 3 which is arranged around or runs around at least part of theouter perimeter of the deck 2. The deck 2 and the side wall 3 enclosinga cutting area or cutting space 70 in use, under the deck 2 and insidethe perimeter of the side wall 3. A motor 4 is attached to the mower 1,on the outside top of the deck 2, approximately at the centre of thedeck 2. In the preferred form, the motor 4 is petrol powered. However,it should be noted that any form of self contained motor could be used.

Alternatively, other forms could use a motor that relies on an externalpower supply, for example an electric motor which connects to a mainssource, or even an electric motor powered by a battery carried on themower. However, these are not preferred forms.

A pair of front wheels 5 and a pair of rear wheels 6 are located at thefront and rear corners of the deck 2 respectively. However, a singlefront wheel could be used instead of a pair. Also a single rear wheelcould be used instead of a pair. A ‘set’ of wheels shall be used todescribe the rear wheel or wheels and the front wheel or wheels, andshould be read as meaning either a single wheel or a pair.

A mower handle 7 is connected to the rear of the deck, approximately atthe rear corners of the deck 2, above the rear wheels 6, the handle 7running backwards and upwards. The mower handle 7 includes user controls8. The mower handle 7 is adapted to be gripped by a user in use tocontrol the direction in which the mower 1 is travelling. The mowerhandle 7 may also include controls for controlling the speed at whichthe mower is travelling (if the mower is optionally of the‘self-propelled type) and the speed at which the cutting blades arerotating. Other secondary user controls such as a choke 9 may be locatedon the handle 7.

The mower handle 7 also includes an adjustment mechanism 10 to allow thelength or height of the mower handle 7 to be adjusted, and/or otheradjustments such as the orientation to be altered to suit an individualuser.

The mower is of the type where the ride height or cutting height can beadjusted. The height of the wheels relative to the deck can be changedby a simple mechanical mechanism such as is known in the art. Forexample, via lever 17. Adjusting the ride height or cutting height meansthat the deck (and everything connected to it) move relative to thewheels. One effect of adjusting the ride height or cutting height isthat the gap between the lower edge of the side wall 3 and the ground (ahorizontal surface) will change.

The mower also preferably has ‘rake’, or is ‘raked’. That is, it istilted forward slightly. The gap between ground and the lower edge ofthe deck at the front wheels is less than the gap between the lower edgeof the deck and the ground at the rear wheels. The difference is usuallyaround 10 mm—i.e. when the gap at the front is around 10 mm, the gap atthe rear will be around 20 mm.

A catcher 11 is connected to the rear of the mower deck 2, underneaththe handle 7. The catcher 11 is removably attached to the mower deck 2so that a user can remove it in use for emptying, maintenance orsimilar. When ‘mower’ is used in this specification, it should be notedthat this could mean with or without a catcher such as catcher 11connected to the mower. That is, ‘mower’ could be inclusive or exclusiveof a catcher.

In the most preferred form, the mower includes a rear flap 40, pivotedfrom the top rear edge of the deck. This is lifted up the allow thecatcher 11 to be attached in use, with the rear flap resting on (and inthe most preferred embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open topof) the catcher 11.

The mower 1 also preferably includes a chipper tube 12 located at therear left-hand corner of the deck 2. The chipper tube is preferablyintegrally connected to the deck 2. The chipper tube 12 extends upwardsfrom the deck 2 and is angled slightly towards the rear of the mower 1.The preferred embodiment of the chipper tube 12 has an entry aperture 13at the upper end of the chipper tube. The lower end connects with thedeck 2 and is mutually adapted (along with the deck 2) so that the lowerend opens into the cutting space 70 so that items falling down or pusheddown the length of the tube 12 will fall through the lower end into thecutting space 70 underneath the deck 2. The upper end of the chippertube 12 in the most preferred forms include a lid 15.

A set of grass cutter blades 16 and a set of chipper blades 14 arelocated within the cutting area 70. In the preferred embodiment, thechipper blades are heavy, thick, short blades, or blades that aresomewhat shorter and heavier than the grass cutting blades attached to adisc, and the grass cutting blades are lighter, thinner, longer bladesattached to a disc which may have a smaller radius.

In the preferred embodiment, there is a chipper bar blade having twocutting ends, and two or four grass cutting blades arranged at equallyspaced intervals around a disc. However, any number of blades from oneupwards could be used as required, and these do not have to be connectedto a disc.

Both sets of blades are connected to a vertically aligned drive shaft,at least the lower part of which extends downwards from the motor 4 intothe cutting space 70 at substantially the centre of the cutting space70. The connection of the blades to the drive shaft causes the blades torotate in substantially horizontal planes, one above the other, around acommon axis. The chipper blades rotate in a chipping plane, the tips ofthe blades defining the circumference or perimeter of a chipper cuttingcircle. The grass cutting blades rotate in a grass cutting plane, thetips of the blades defining the circumference or perimeter of a grasscutting circle. The chipper blades are located above the grass cutterblades. The chipper blades are heavier and larger than the grass cutterblades, as described above. The grass cutter blades are adapted so thatwhen they are spinning, they will cut any grass which they contact. Thechipper blades are specifically adapted to chip or shred items such assmall braches or other similar garden refuse.

It should be noted that other forms of blades are possible other than apair of grass cutting blades or a pair of chipper blades. Three, four ormore blades could be used, possibly attached to a central disc orsimilar.

The lower end of the chipper tube 12 is connected to the deck 2 at ortowards one of the rear corners of the deck 2. In the most preferredform it is connected at the left rear corner (from the point of view ofa user operating the mower)—that is, the other side of the deck centreline from the funnel 60. The lower end of the chipper tube 12 opens intothe cutting space 70 as described above. As can be seen in FIG. 1, thelower end is connected to the deck 2 in such a manner that the openingat lower end is directly above both sets of blades and within theperimeter or circumference of the cutting circles formed by rotation ofthe blades. However, it is only necessary that the opening is above thechipper blades. It is not necessary that the chipping and cuttingcircles be the same size.

In use, a user introduces items into the top end of the chipper tube 12,either pushing these down or allowing them to fall under gravity so thatthey come out of the lower end of the tube into the cutting space 70,and then drop (or are pushed) into the disc formed by the rotatingchipper blades 14, to be chipped or shredded. It is preferred that atleast the front part of the tube 12 extends to just above the chipperblades, so that the front part or front face acts at least partly as an‘anvil’, the blades driving refuse onto the front face, and then passingjust underneath the front face to chip off that part of the refuse thatextends just below the lower edge of the front face.

In use the operation is as follows: a user pushes the mower forwardsalong the grass that he or she desires to be cut, stopping occasionallyto pick up heavier garden waste such as small windfall branches orsimilar. With reference to FIG. 3, both sets of blades 14, 16 arespinning clockwise. That is, from a users left (away from a user on theleft-hand side of the mower 1) towards their right (towards a user onthe right-hand side of the mower 1). This is shown by arrows 22 on FIG.3. The front edge of the side wall 3 passes over the grass to be cut andthe front edge of the spinning disc of the grass cutting blades 16encounters the long grass in the cutting area, cutting the top portionoff so that it is cut to the height of the blades above the ground. Thegrass cuttings are flung or thrown backwards by the rotating bladesalong the right-hand side of the cutting space 70 towards the rear ofthe mower 1. The mower deck 2 is shaped so that in plan view it has theshape of a volute, as noted above, and the right-hand side isfunnel-shaped or forms a funnel 60, expanding towards the rear of themower 1. At least the right-hand rear side of the mower deck 1 is formedas an exit aperture 21.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the chipper tube 12 is located at the rearleft-hand corner of the mower deck 2, just in front of the left-handrear end corner of the volute-shaped deck 2. The chipper tube 12 ispreferably angled backwards, and this offers an advantage in that a userat the rear of the mower 1 can add material easily to the chipper tube12. Also, it is much less likely that material will be ejected up andout of the tube 12 in use, as it is angled away from the direction ofspin of the blades. This is safer for a user.

One issue that has arisen with combination mowers and chipper/shreddersis that of safety. As has been outlined above, a gap between the loweredge of the side wall and ground level is highly desirable, as theresulting air flow helps with efficiency. However, the gap must bearranged in such a manner that the safety of a user is not compromised,and especially when the chipper is used.

It is possible for mower mechanisms to become clogged with cuttings orsimilar, and for the mower to stall or otherwise cease operating forreasons that may not be immediately apparent. This is especially truefor mowers that also incorporate a chipper or shredder mechanism, as thetypes of material which are fed into the mower tend to be of the typethat will jam mechanisms more easily, and not be mulched or pulped bymoving parts as easily as grass may be. Accidents can easily be causedby users attempting to manually remove jammed items from mowers whichhave not been correctly deactivated. In order to achieve a suitablecompromise between efficiency and safety, the mower 1 described hereinincorporates several safety mechanisms which are intended to helpprevent accidents of this type. These are described below:

Skirt

Firstly, the mower 1 is fitted with a skirt 100 or, more preferably, apair of skirts 100. In use, one of the pair of skirts is connected toone side of the mower, running substantially between the front and rearwheels, with an equivalent second skirt connected on the other, oppositeside of the mower, running between the front and rear wheels on theopposite side. The skirts on each side of the mower are effectivelymirrors of one another. For the purposes of this specification, oneskirt only will be described, but it should be noted that in thepreferred embodiment, a second, substantially identical skirt will befitted on the opposite side. It should be noted that the skirt is aseparate, distinct item from the deck 2.

The preferred embodiment of the skirt 100 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 4 a-c. According to one embodiment the skirt 100comprises a wire framework, the framework having a main body that formsan elongate ground guard 103 and at least one (but in the preferredembodiment) three attachment sprigs 104 which extend generallyperpendicularly and in the same direction as one another from the groundguard 103. The elongate ground guard runs substantially horizontally inuse when the skirt 100 is attached to the mower. The attachment sprigsrun substantially vertically upwards from the ground guard. The(preferred) three sprigs are arranged one at each end or substantiallytowards the end of the ground guard, and one substantially in thecentre. When attached to the mower, and when the mower is viewed fromthe side, the preferred form of skirt 100 therefore has the overallappearance of a capital letter ‘E’ turned on its back.

Each of the sprigs 104 is bent or contoured slightly inwards (as theyextend upwards towards the mower body). Each of the sprigs includes anattachment aperture or similar at its upper end, to allow a bolt orsimilar to pass through and then through the mower body, to attach theskirt 100 to the main body of the mower. As the sprigs are contouredinwards slightly, the lower part of the skirt, which includes the groundguard, will stand away from, or slightly proud of the side wall of themower. That is, there is a gap having at least a horizontal componentbetween the mower side wall and the skirt. That is, viewed directly fromabove, there is a gap between the side wall and the guard. It ispreferred that the skirt is formed and shaped, and attached to the sidewall, in such a manner there is some overlap between the top of theguard and the lower edge of the side wall when viewed horizontally fromthe side. However, in alternative embodiments, the skirt can be formedand shaped, and attached to the side wall, in such a manner that the gapalso has a vertical component between the side wall and the guard, atleast towards the rear of the mower.

As outlined above, it is usual for mower decks to be ‘raked’. Therefore,the ground clearance between the side wall and the ground at the frontof the mower (e.g. around the front wheel) is typically approximately 10mm, lower than at the rear. The vertical component of the gap referredto therefore means that, when viewed horizontally from the side, thereis a gap between the top of the guard 103 and the lower edge of the sidewall 3, at least at or towards the rear of the mower.

The skirt may not be raked, and ground clearance between the lower partof the skirt and the ground may be consistent from the front to the rearof the mower. Preferably the whole of the skirt 100 is formed from wirehaving a diameter of around 5 mm-7 mm. This desirably gives the lowerpart of the skirt a rounded appearance, and no sharp edges either at thebottom or on the sides. As shown in FIG. 4, the skirt 100 is alsocontoured to follow the plan-view curve of the mower deck and side wall.As can be seen from the figures, when the skirt 100 is attached to theside wall of the mower, a gap is created between the upper inner part ofthe skirt and the side wall. That is, there is at least a horizontal andpreferably also a vertical gap created between the side wall and theskirt in at least part of the space between the front wheel set and therear wheel set. In the most preferred form, this gap is created to besmall enough so that industry-standard finger test probes (articulablelike finger joints and with a 12 mm tip) cannot pass between the groundguard 103 and the side wall 3 into the cutting space 70 under the deck.

It is not necessary for the ground guard to run the full length of theside of the mower between the front and rear wheels. However, as shownin FIG. 4, it is extremely desirable that it does so, and if necessary,extension pieces 105 can be added to ensure that it does so, as shown inFIG. 4 b. It should also be noted at the two ends sprigs could be usedwithout the centre sprig, as shown in FIG. 4 c. It is most preferredthat the ground guard passes along the full length, or substantially thefull length, between the front and rear wheels, so that there is no gapat either end.

Also, the skirt is formed and attached to the side wall of the mower sothat a standard finger test probe cannot pass underneath theskirt—between the lower part of the skirt and the ground—and under theside wall. That is, the gap is insufficient to allow the passage of astandard finger test probe into the cutting area—the tip of a fingertest probe will not pass under the side wall: it will be blocked by theskirt first.

In the most preferred embodiment, a guard strip 110 of rubber or plasticmaterial is connected to the side wall on the outside of the side wallof the mower. When the skirt 100 is connected to the side wall 3, it ismost preferred that the guard strip 110 does not completely fill the gapbetween the frame and the side wall over the entire length of the spacebetween the front and rear wheels. There is still a gap at least towardsthe rear of the mower. However, in the preferred form, at least towardsthe front of the mower, the guard strip completely fills the gap bothhorizontally and vertically.

Chipper Tube Cut-Off

It is highly preferred that the chipper/shredder of the combinationmower & chipper/shredder can only be operated when the mower is at a lowride height in order to improve safety. According to another aspect, thechipper can only be operated at its lowest ride height or cuttingheight. There are generally two preferred ways in which these optionscan be achieved, by switch or by lockout. Several variations will now bedescribed in more detail.

Firstly, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 12, the chipper tube 12 has a lidor cover 15. The lid 15 is preferably biased towards a ‘closed’ positionas shown in FIG. 5. The lid 15 is biased by a spring 30.

When the cover is closed, the chipper cannot be used as the tube 12cannot be accessed. In the most preferred form, the chipper tubeincludes a latch 31 and sear 33 to hold the lid 15 in the open positionwhen the mower is lower than a predetermined ride height oralternatively at the lowest ride height. If the mower is moved away fromthe predetermined lowest cut or ride height, then the sear 33 disengagesfrom the latch and the lid closes under the influence of spring 30.

This is achieved by connecting the lid to wire 32, which is preferably abowden wire or bowden cable. The wire 32 is connected to the mower insuch a manner that if it is pulled beyond a certain point—the cut-offpoint—it will act to move the sear 33 and unlatch the lid 15.

The mower, chipper tube lid, and wire are all dimensioned and adjustedso that the cut-off point is a point just above a low ride height (oralternatively just above the lowest ride height). If the mower isadjusted upwards beyond this position, then sufficient tension comesinto the cable to operate the mechanism to disengage the latch and thelid 15 will close.

In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism (via the Bowden wire) can becoupled to the motor to kill the motor (via the throttle cable) if thelid 15 is opened and the mower is above a threshold ride height.

In an still further alternative embodiment, the mechanism may beconfigured to lock the lid closed when the mower is above thepredetermined low ride height. In such an embodiment, the lid may bebiased closed by a spring 30 and provided with a latching mechanism thatprevents opening of the lid unless the mower is at a sufficiently lowride height. It is also preferable that the latching mechanism isoptionally of a type that will allow the lid to lock closed with themower in any ride height position above the predetermined threshold rideheight. That is to say, if the mower is adjusted above the predeterminedride height while the lid 15 is open, the latch will lock as soon as thelid is next closed. However the latching mechanism will only allow thelid to unlock when the mower is at or below a predetermined minimum rideheight. In these embodiments, a user will be prevented from accessingthe chipper tube unless the mower is adjusted to an appropriate rideheight.

With reference to FIGS. 5 & 10, the second preferred method is via apair of micro switches 120, 121 arranged in series. One microswitch 120is connected to the lid or cover 15 of the chipper tube and isconfigured to be closed when the lid is open. The second microswitch 121is on the mower deck and will be closed in any mower position exceptwhen below the predetermined threshold low ride height (or lowest rideheight). If the lid 15 is opened, the engine will cut off if the moweris in any position except the lowest ride height.

It will be appreciated with reference to FIG. 10 that the mower enginewill stop if the primary winding ignition coil is grounded.

Microswitches 120, 121 function so that with microswitch 120 open (iewhen the lid is closed) the mower engine will run irrespective of theposition of ride height microswitch 121. In addition, if microswitch 121is closed (ie when the mower is in any ride height above a predeterminedlevel) the mower will be stopped if microswitch 120 is closed (ie if thelid is open).

This arrangement effectively prevents the mower from running if thechipper tube lid is opened and the ride height is above a predeterminedlevel.

According to one embodiment, the predetermined level is the mowerslowest ride height setting.

It will be appreciated the alternative switch configurations may beemployed to achieve substantially the same result.

Rear Flap Safety Mechanism

As generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, in the most preferred form, themower includes a rear flap 40, pivoted from the top rear edge of thedeck. This is lifted up to allow the catcher 11 to be attached in use,with the rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred embodimentacting as a lid for the partly open top of) the catcher 11. The mostpreferred form of rear flap includes a sub-flap 40 a, as shown in moredetail in FIGS. 7-8, which can open independent of the remainder of theflap 40. The sub-flap 40 a is biased open via spring 42.

This is intended for use when the mower is being used without a grasscatcher, so that with the flap 40 in the lowered position (illustratedin FIG. 8), grass can still discharge from the inside of the mower tothe outside through open flap 40 a. In this position, sub-flap 40 a actsas a deflector to direct the grass clippings to eject out the side ofthe mower. However, when the mower is being used with a grass catcher,as illustrated in FIG. 1, the sub-flap 40 a is redundant, and it can bedangerous for a user to open this and access the interior of the mowerthrough the sub-flap while the mower is running (as illustrated in FIG.9).

The mower of the present invention in one form is fitted with a safetymechanism in the form of a safety clip 41, which is connected to thebody of the mower (e.g. at the handle 7), so that the sub-flap 40 acannot be raised any higher than the main body of the flap 40 when thegrass catcher is attached. That is, the sub-flap cannot physically beopened when the flap 40 is raised into the position it would normally bein when the catcher is attached (illustrated in FIG. 7). The safety clipphysically blocks the biased sub flap 40 a (and the main flap 40) frommoving up any further and opening. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7the flap 40 and sub-flap 40 a cannot be raised any higher because itwould impinge on clip 41 on handle 7 (or a part attached thereto).Accordingly, neither flap 40 or sub-flap 40 a can be raised when thecatcher is in place in such a manner as to allow access into the catcherarea where hazards may exist.

In another form, the mower is fitted with a second form of safetymechanism(s) that biases the sub-flap closed, while still allowing theuser to open sub-flap if necessary. This second form of safety mechanismwill now be described in detail with particular reference to FIGS. 7-9.A non-extensile wire 43 is shown in series with an extensible portion44. Preferably wire 43 is a metallic cable and extensible portion 44 isa spring such as a coil spring or similar.

Preferably, each portion 43, 44 accounts for approximately half thelinear length of the combination when laid flat. Preferably, the wire 43is formed so that the point at which the end of wire 43 meets the springportion can bend and/or pivot freely, so the two portions can freelymove relative to one another. The free end of the first portion (thefirst end) ends in a first end eyelet or similar. The free end of thesecond portion (the second end) is also formed as a second end eyelet orsimilar.

The first end eyelet 501 is connected to the mower body in such a mannerthat it can freely rotate around or relative to the mower body. Thesecond end eyelet is connected to the side of the sub-flap 40 a in asimilar manner—so that it can rotate freely relative to the sub-flap 40a, but not slide free or come loose. The dimensions of the wire andspring 43, 44 and the attachment positions of the eyelets on the mainbody and the sub-flap respectively, are chosen so that when the rearflap 40 (and sub flap 40 a) is raised to just above horizontal (i.e. theposition it is on when the grass catcher is fitted), the spring will beextended and there will be tension in the spring.

One difficulty with arrangements such as that described above is thatthe mower handle usually tends to block or otherwise impede theconnection of the wire to the mower and flap, and the operation of flap.Also, mechanisms such as this tend to impede connection or disconnectionof the grass catcher, and it is difficult to locate these mechanisms ina position such that they will be both effective and not impedeoperation.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the following elements, eithersingly or in combination, help to achieve a solution to this issue.Firstly, placing the spring portion 44 at the upper end of the wire 43(when the flap is open) so that it does not interfere with the handlewhen moving, or interference with the handle is minimised. Secondly,fixing the points around which the ends of the wire pivot in fixedpositions relative to the mower body and the sub-flap respectively(prior art solutions have used sliding or moveable points). Thirdly,when the flap is closed, the wire has a large amount of slack in it, andcan also pivot around the point at which it turns from a wire into aspring to take advantage of this. Fourthly, choosing the connectionpositions and the dimensions of the wire so that the slack will only befully taken up, and tension come into the spring, just before the flapreaches the horizontal position when it is being opened (or equivalentif the sub-flap is opened independently).

Surprisingly, it has been found that these elements allow the flap to berotated from a closed position (blocking the rear of the mower) to anopen position (roughly horizontal or just above horizontal) with springtension coming on to the spring portion of the wire just belowhorizontal, with little to no impedance of the operation, e.g.connection/disconnection, of the grass catcher, and opening/closing ofthe flap.

It can be seen that both the flap 40 and the sub-flap 40 a will bespring loaded when the grass catcher is in position. The sub-flap can beopened further if required—i.e. by lifting it up further as illustratedin FIG. 9. However, this will place further tension on the spring, andtend to pull the sub-flap 40 a closed. The arrangement of the threeelements outlined above also allow the flap and the sub flap to beindependently moved—i.e. the sub-flap can be closed onto the main flapas the main flap is being opened, and vice-versa. The flap and sub-flapcan be rotated all the way up to a vertical or near vertical position ifrequired.

Preferred Features:

-   1. A lawn mower with an integral chipper or shredder, comprising:    -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft        within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at        least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially        horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one chipper        blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping plane,    -   at least one skirt, connected to the side wall on one side of        the mower between the front wheel set and the rear wheel set,        and formed so that when connected the main body of the skirt        extends below the lower edge of the side wall and there is a gap        between the side wall and the main body, the skirt extending        between at least part of the space between the front wheel set        and the rear wheel set.-   2. A lawn mower according to clause 1 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a horizontal    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   3. A lawnmower according to clause 1 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a vertical    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   4. A lawnmower according to clause 1 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has a vertical and a    horizontal component in at least part of the space between the front    wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   5. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 1 to 4 wherein the    skirt extends the whole length of the side wall between the front    wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   6. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 1 to 5 wherein the    main body of the skirt runs substantially horizontally when the    skirt is attached to the mower.-   7. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 1 to 6 wherein the    skirt has at least one and preferably three attachment sprigs    extending upwards from the main body of the skirt.-   8. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 1 to 7 wherein the    skirt is formed from wire having a substantially round    cross-section.-   9. A lawn mower according to clause 8 wherein the wire has a    diameter of between 4 and 8 mm.-   10. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 1 to 9 wherein the    skirt is formed and attached to the side wall such that the gap    between the skirt and the ground is insufficient to allow the    passage of a standard finger test probe when the mower is set at the    lowest cutting or ride height.-   11. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 1 to 10 wherein a    guard strip is connected to the side wall on the outside of the side    wall of the mower.-   12. A lawnmower according to clause 11 wherein the guard strip is    formed from plastic or rubber.-   13. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 1 to 12 wherein the    mower is fitted with a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower    end, the lower end opening into the cutting space above and within    the perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least    one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral    spring-loaded lid which is biased towards the closed position, the    lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower is set to the    lowest ride or cut height to hold the lid in a fully open position,    the mower fitted with a safety mechanism so that if the ride height    is adjusted away from the lowest setting, the catch will disengage    and the spring will bias the lid towards the closed position.-   14. A lawnmower according to clause 13 wherein the safety mechanism    is a bowden wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the    mower body, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire    all dimensioned and adjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest    ride or cut height position, the catch can engage the lid to hold    the lid open, and if the mower is adjusted away from the lowest ride    or cut height position, the bowden wire will be pulled or tensioned    beyond a cut-off point to disengage the catch and the spring will    bias the lid towards the closed position.-   15. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 1 to 12 wherein the    lawnmower is fitted with a pair of microswitches, the first    microswitch connected to the lid of the chipper tube, and adapted to    close and thus stop the lawnmower engine from running when the lid    is opened, and a second microswitch located on the lawnmower such    that only when the switch is open (at the lowest ride height or    cutting height) can the lid be opened to enable the chipper    function.-   16. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 1 to 15 wherein the    lawnmower further has a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from    the top rear edge of the deck to allow a grass catcher to be    attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred    embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable    grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing    downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck when a    grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a sub-flap which    can open and close independently of the main flap, the mower further    fitted with a safety clip, adapted so that at least the sub-flap    cannot be raised any higher than the normal operating position that    the flap and sub-flap would be in when a grass catcher were    attached.-   17. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 1 to 15 wherein the    lawnmower further has a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from    the top rear edge of the deck to allow a grass catcher to be    attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred    embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable    grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing    downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck when a    grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a sub-flap which    can open and close independently of the main flap, the mower further    fitted with a biasing mechanism that is adapted to bias the flap and    sub-flap towards a closed position at least when a grass catcher is    attached to the mower.-   18. A. lawnmower according to clause 17 wherein the biasing    mechanism is a wire, at least part of the body of the wire formed as    a spring, the first end of the wire connected to the mower body, the    second end connected to the sub flap, the connection points and the    dimensions of the wire chosen such that when the flap and sub-flap    are raised into a position the same as or similar to the position    that the flap and sub-flap would be in with a grass catcher    attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion of the wire    will be in tension.-   19. A lawnmower according to clause 18 wherein the location of the    connection points and the dimensions of the wire are chosen so that    the spring is only just in tension when the flap and sub-flap are    raised into the same or a similar position to that which they would    be in with a grass catcher attached.-   20. A lawnmower according to clause 18 wherein at least the first    end of the wire is formed as an eyebolt.-   21. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 18 to 20 wherein the    wire is formed so that that part of the wire formed as a spring can    move and pivot freely relative to the remainder of the wire when not    in tension.-   22. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 18 to 21 wherein    that part of the wire formed as a spring is uppermost when the grass    catcher is connected.-   23. A lawn mower with an integral chipper or shredder, comprising:    -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft        within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at        least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially        horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one chipper        blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping plane,    -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral        lid which is normally closed when the mower is operating, the        lid fitted with a cut-off mechanism so that if the lid is opened        when the ride height or cutting height of the mower has been        adjusted to any position except the lowest position, the cut-off        mechanism will stop the mower engine.-   24. A lawnmower according to clause 23 wherein the cut-off mechanism    is a wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the mower    engine, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, and cut-off wire all    dimensioned and adjusted so that the lawnmower engine will run    without interruption when the lid is closed, but the wire will be    pulled beyond the engine cut-off point and stop the engine when the    lid is opened and also when the mower is adjusted to any point    except the lowest ride height or cutting height.-   25. A lawnmower according to clause 23 wherein the lawnmower is    fitted with a pair of microswitches, the first microswitch connected    to the lid of the chipper tube, and adapted to close and thus stop    the lawnmower engine from running when the lid is opened, and a    second microswitch located on the lawnmower such that only when the    switch is open (at the lowest ride height or cutting height) can the    lid be opened to enable the chipper function.-   26. A lawnmower according to clauses 23 to 25 wherein the lawnmower    further has at least one skirt, connected to the side wall on one    side of the mower between the front wheel set and the rear wheel    set, and formed so that when connected the main body of the skirt    extends below the lower edge of the side wall and there is a gap    between the side wall and the main body, the skirt extending between    at least part of the space between the front wheel set and the rear    wheel set.-   27. A lawn mower according to clause 26 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a horizontal    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   28. A lawnmower according to clause 26 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a vertical    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   29. A lawnmower according to clause 26 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has a vertical and a    horizontal component in at least part of the space between the front    wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   30. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 26 to 29 wherein    the skirt extends the whole length of the side wall between the    front wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   31. A lawn mower according to clause 26 to 30 wherein the main body    of the skirt runs substantially horizontally when the skirt is    attached to the mower.-   32. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 26 to 31 wherein    the skirt has at least one and preferably three attachment sprigs    extending upwards from the main body of the skirt.-   33. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 26 to 31 wherein    the skirt is formed from wire having a substantially round    cross-section.-   34. A lawn mower according to clause 33 wherein the wire has a    diameter of between 4 and 8 mm.-   35. A lawnmower according to any one of clause 26 to 34 wherein the    skirt is formed and attached to the side wall such that the gap    between the skirt and the ground is insufficient to allow the    passage of a standard finger test probe.-   36. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 26 to 35 wherein a    guard strip is connected to the side wall on the outside of the side    wall of the mower.-   37. A lawnmower according to clause 36 wherein the guard strip is    formed from plastic or rubber.-   38. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 23 to 37 wherein the    integral lid is spring-loaded and biased towards the closed    position, the lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower    is set to the lowest ride or cut height to hold the lid in a fully    open position, the mower fitted with a safety mechanism so that if    the ride height is adjusted away from the lowest setting, the catch    will disengage and the spring will bias the lid towards the closed    position.-   39. A lawnmower according to clause 38 wherein the safety mechanism    is a bowden wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the    mower body, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire    all dimensioned and adjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest    ride or cut height position, the catch can engage the lid to hold    the lid open, and if the mower is adjusted away from the lowest ride    or cut height position, the bowden wire will be pulled or tensioned    beyond a cut-off point to disengage the catch and the spring will    bias the lid towards the closed position.-   40. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 22 to 39 wherein the    lawnmower further has a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from    the top rear edge of the deck to allow a grass catcher to be    attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred    embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable    grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing    downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck when a    grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a sub-flap which    can open and close independently of the main flap, the mower further    fitted with a safety clip, adapted so that at least the sub-flap    cannot be raised any higher than the normal operating position that    the flap and sub-flap would be in when a grass catcher were    attached.-   41. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 23 to 40 wherein the    lawnmower further has a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from    the top rear edge of the deck to allow a grass catcher to be    attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred    embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable    grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing    downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck when a    grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a sub-flap which    can open and close independently of the main flap, the mower further    fitted with a biasing mechanism that is adapted to bias the flap and    sub-flap towards a closed position at least when a grass catcher is    attached to the mower.-   42. A lawnmower according to clause 41 wherein the biasing mechanism    is a wire, at least part of the body of the wire formed as a spring,    the first end of the wire connected to the mower body, the second    end connected to the sub flap, the connection points and the    dimensions of the wire chosen such that when the flap and sub-flap    are raised into a position the same as or similar to the position    that the flap and sub-flap would be in with a grass catcher    attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion of the wire    will be in tension.-   43. A lawnmower according to clause 42 wherein the location of the    connection points and the dimensions of the wire are chosen so that    the spring is only just in tension when the flap and sub-flap are    raised into the same or a similar position to that which they would    be in with a grass catcher attached.-   44. A lawnmower according to clause 43 wherein at least the first    end of the wire is formed as an eyebolt.-   45. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 42 to 44 wherein the    wire is formed so that that part of the wire formed as a spring can    move and pivot freely relative to the remainder of the wire when not    in tension.-   46. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 42 to 45 wherein    that part of the wire formed as a spring is uppermost when the grass    catcher is connected.-   47. A lawn mower with an integral chipper or shredder, comprising:    -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft        within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at        least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially        horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one chipper        blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping plane,    -   the lawnmower further having a rear flap, connected to and        pivoting from the top rear edge of the deck to allow a grass        catcher to be attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and in        the most preferred embodiment acting as a lid for the partly        open top of) an attached grass catcher, the rear flap having a        sub-flap which can open independent of the remainder of the        flap, the mower further fitted with a safety clip, adapted so        that the sub-flap cannot be raised any higher than the main body        of the flap when the flap and sub-flap are positioned for        attachment of a grass catcher.-   48. A lawnmower according to clause 47 wherein the mower further has    at least one skirt, connected to the side wall on one side of the    mower between the front wheel set and the rear wheel set, and formed    so that when connected the main body of the skirt extends below the    lower edge of the side wall and there is a gap between the side wall    and the main body, the skirt extending between at least part of the    space between the front wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   49. A lawn mower according to clause 48 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a horizontal    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   50. A lawnmower according to clause 48 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a vertical    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   51. A lawnmower according to clause 48 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has a vertical and a    horizontal component in at least part of the space between the front    wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   52. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 48 to 51 wherein    the skirt extends the whole length of the side wall between the    front wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   53. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 48 to 51 wherein    the main body of the skirt runs substantially horizontally when the    skirt is attached to the mower.-   54. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 48 to 51 wherein    the skirt has at least one and preferably three attachment sprigs    extending upwards from the main body of the skirt.-   55. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 48 to 54 wherein    the skirt is formed from wire having a substantially round    cross-section.-   56. A lawn mower according to clauses 55 wherein the wire has a    diameter of between 4 and 8 mm.-   57. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 48 to 56 wherein the    skirt is formed and attached to the side wall such that the gap    between the skirt and the ground is insufficient to allow the    passage of a standard finger test probe.-   58. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 48 to 57 wherein a    guard strip is connected to the side wall on the outside of the side    wall of the mower.-   59. A lawnmower according to clause 58 wherein the guard strip is    formed from plastic or rubber.-   60. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 47 to 59 wherein the    mower is fitted with a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower    end, the lower end opening into the cutting space above and within    the perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least    one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral lid    which is normally closed when the mower is operating, the lid fitted    with a cut-off mechanism so that if the lid is opened when the ride    height or cutting height of the mower has been adjusted to any    position except the lowest position, the cut-off mechanism will stop    the mower engine.-   61. A lawnmower according to clause 60 wherein the cut-off mechanism    is a wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the mower    engine, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, and cut-off wire all    dimensioned and adjusted so that the lawnmower engine will run    without interruption when the lid is closed, but the wire will be    pulled beyond the engine cut-off point and stop the engine when the    lid is opened and also when the mower is adjusted to any point    except the lowest ride height or cutting height.-   62. A lawnmower according to clause 61 wherein the lawnmower is    fitted with a pair of microswitches, the first microswitch connected    to the lid of the chipper tube, and adapted to open and thus stop    the lawnmower engine from running when the lid is opened, and a    second microswitch located on the lawnmower such that only when the    switch is closed (at the lowest ride height or cutting height) can    the lid be opened to enable the chipper function.-   63. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 47 to 59 wherein the    mower is fitted with a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower    end, the lower end opening into the cutting space above and within    the perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least    one chipper blade in use, wherein the mower is fitted with a chipper    tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end opening into    the cutting space above and within the perimeter of the cutting disc    formed by rotation of the at least one chipper blade in use, the    chipper tube having an integral spring-loaded lid which is biased    towards the closed position, the lid fitted with a catch which    operates when the mower is set to the lowest ride or cut height to    hold the lid in a fully open position, the mower fitted with a    safety mechanism so that if the ride height is adjusted away from    the lowest setting, the catch will disengage and the spring will    bias the lid towards the closed position.-   64. A lawnmower according to clause 63 wherein the safety mechanism    is a bowden wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the    mower body, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire    all dimensioned and adjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest    ride or cut height position, the catch can engage the lid to hold    the lid open, and if the mower is adjusted away from the lowest ride    or cut height position, the bowden wire will be pulled or tensioned    beyond a cut-off point to disengage the catch and the spring will    bias the lid towards the closed position.-   65. A lawn mower with an integral chipper or shredder, comprising:    -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and at least one        chipper or shredder blade or blades connected to the drive shaft        within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the at        least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially        horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one chipper        blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping plane,    -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral        spring-loaded lid which is biased towards the closed position,        the lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower is set        to the lowest ride or cut height to hold the lid in a fully open        position, the mower fitted with a safety mechanism so that if        the ride height is adjusted away from the lowest setting, the        catch will disengage and the spring will bias the lid towards        the closed position.-   66. A lawnmower according to clause 65 wherein the safety mechanism    is a bowden wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the    mower body, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire    all dimensioned and adjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest    ride or cut height position, the catch can engage the lid to hold    the lid open, and if the mower is adjusted away from the lowest ride    or cut height position, the bowden wire will be pulled or tensioned    beyond a cut-off point to disengage the catch and the spring will    bias the lid towards the closed position.-   67. A lawnmower according to clause 65 or 66 wherein the lawnmower    further has a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from the top rear    edge of the deck to allow a grass catcher to be attached in use, the    rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred embodiment acting as    a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable grass catcher when a    grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing downwards to close    the exit aperture at the rear of the deck when a grass catcher is    not attached, the rear flap having a sub-flap which can open and    close independently of the main flap, the mower further fitted with    a biasing mechanism that is adapted to bias the flap and sub-flap    towards a closed position at least when a grass catcher is attached    to the mower.-   68. A lawnmower according to clause 67 wherein the biasing mechanism    is a wire, at least part of the body of the wire formed as a spring,    the first end of the wire connected to the mower body, the second    end connected to the sub flap, the connection points and the    dimensions of the wire chosen such that when the flap and sub-flap    are raised into a position the same as or similar to the position    that the flap and sub-flap would be in with a grass catcher    attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion of the wire    will be in tension.-   69. A lawnmower according to clause 68 wherein the location of the    connection points and the dimensions of the wire are chosen so that    the spring is only just in tension when the flap and sub-flap are    raised into the same or a similar position to that which they would    be in with a grass catcher attached.-   70. A lawnmower according to clause 68 or clause 69 wherein at least    the first end of the wire is formed as an eyebolt.-   71. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 68 to 70 wherein the    wire is formed so that that part of the wire formed as a spring can    move and pivot freely relative to the remainder of the wire when not    in tension.-   72. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 68 to 71 wherein    that part of the wire formed as a spring is uppermost when the grass    catcher is connected.-   73. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 65 to 72 wherein the    lawnmower further has at least one skirt, connected to the side wall    on one side of the mower between the front wheel set and the rear    wheel set, and formed so that when connected the main body of the    skirt extends below the lower edge of the side wall and there is a    gap between the side wall and the main body, the skirt extending    between at least part of the space between the front wheel set and    the rear wheel set.-   74. A lawn mower according to clause 73 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a horizontal    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   75. A lawnmower according to clause 73 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a vertical    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   76. A lawnmower according to clause 73 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has a vertical and a    horizontal component in at least part of the space between the front    wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   77. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 73 to 76 wherein    the skirt extends the whole length of the side wall between the    front wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   78. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 73 to 77 wherein    the main body of the skirt runs substantially horizontally when the    skirt is attached to the mower.-   79. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 73 to 78 wherein    the skirt has at least one and preferably three attachment sprigs    extending upwards from the main body of the skirt.-   80. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 73 to 79 wherein    the skirt is formed from wire having a substantially round    cross-section.-   81. A lawn mower according to clause 80 wherein the wire has a    diameter of between 4 and 8 mm.-   82. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 73 to 81 wherein the    skirt is formed and attached to the side wall such that the gap    between the skirt and the ground is insufficient to allow the    passage of a standard finger test probe.-   83. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 73 to 82 wherein a    guard strip is connected to the side wall on the outside of the side    wall of the mower.-   84. A lawnmower according to clause 83 wherein the guard strip is    formed from plastic or rubber.-   85. A lawn mower, comprising:    -   a deck, forming a platform and having an exit aperture at the        rear of the deck,    -   a side wall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of        the deck, the deck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space        under the deck,    -   a front wheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and        the rear of the deck respectively,    -   a motor attached to the outside top of the platform of the deck,        having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck, the        lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the        centre of the cutting space,    -   at least one grass cutting blade or blades, connected to the        drive shaft within the cutting space so that the drive shaft        causes the at least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a        substantially horizontal grass cutting plane,    -   a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from the top rear edge of        the deck to allow a grass catcher to be attached in use, the        rear flap resting on (and in the most preferred embodiment        acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachable grass        catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facing        downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck        when a grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a        sub-flap which can open and close independently of the main        flap, the mower further fitted with a biasing mechanism that is        adapted to bias the flap and sub-flap towards a closed position        at least when a grass catcher is attached to the mower.-   86. A lawnmower according to clause 85 wherein the biasing mechanism    is a wire, at least part of the body of the wire formed as a spring,    the first end of the wire connected to the mower body, the second    end connected to the sub flap, the connection points and the    dimensions of the wire chosen such that when the flap and sub-flap    are raised into a position the same as or similar to the position    that the flap and sub-flap would be in with a grass catcher    attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion of the wire    will be in tension.-   87. A lawnmower according to clause 86 wherein the location of the    connection points and the dimensions of the wire are chosen so that    the spring is only just in tension when the flap and sub-flap are    raised into the same or a similar position to that which they would    be in with a grass catcher attached.-   88. A lawnmower according to clause 86 or clause 87 wherein at least    the first end of the wire is formed as an eyebolt.-   89. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 86 to 88 wherein the    wire is formed so that that part of the wire formed as a spring can    move and pivot freely relative to the remainder of the wire when not    in tension.-   90. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 86 to 89 wherein    that part of the wire formed as a spring is uppermost when the grass    catcher is connected.-   91. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 85 to 89 wherein the    lawnmower also has at least one chipper or shredder blade or blades    connected to the drive shaft within the cutting space so that the    drive shaft causes the at least one grass cutting blade to rotate in    a substantially horizontal grass cutting plane and the at least one    chipper blade to rotate in a substantially horizontal chipping    plane, and    -   a chipper tube having an upper end and a lower end, the lower        end opening into the cutting space above and within the        perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of the at least        one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having an integral        spring-loaded lid which is biased towards the closed position,        the lid fitted with a catch which operates when the mower is set        to the lowest ride or cut height to hold the lid in a fully open        position, the mower fitted with a safety mechanism so that if        the ride height is adjusted away from the lowest setting, the        catch will disengage and the spring will bias the lid towards        the closed position.-   92. A lawnmower according to clause 91 wherein the safety mechanism    is a bowden wire connected between the chipper tube lid and the    mower body, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid, catch and bowden wire    all dimensioned and adjusted so that when the mower is in the lowest    ride or cut height position, the catch can engage the lid to hold    the lid open, and if the mower is adjusted away from the lowest ride    or cut height position, the bowden wire will be pulled or tensioned    beyond a cut-off point to disengage the catch and the spring will    bias the lid towards the closed position.-   93. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 85 to 92 wherein the    lawnmower further has at least one skirt, connected to the side wall    on one side of the mower between the front wheel set and the rear    wheel set, and formed so that when connected the main body of the    skirt extends below the lower edge of the side wall and there is a    gap between the side wall and the main body, the skirt extending    between at least part of the space between the front wheel set and    the rear wheel set.-   94. A lawn mower according to clause 93 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a horizontal    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   95. A lawnmower according to clause 93 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has at least a vertical    component in at least part of the space between the front wheel set    and the rear wheel set.-   96. A lawnmower according to clause 93 wherein the gap between the    side wall and the main body of the skirt has a vertical and a    horizontal component in at least part of the space between the front    wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   97. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 93 to 96 wherein    the skirt extends the whole length of the side wall between the    front wheel set and the rear wheel set.-   98. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 93 to 97 wherein    the main body of the skirt runs substantially horizontally when the    skirt is attached to the mower.-   99. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 93 to 97 wherein    the skirt has at least one and preferably three attachment sprigs    extending upwards from the main body of the skirt.-   100. A lawn mower according to any one of clauses 93 to 97 wherein    the skirt is formed from wire having a substantially round    cross-section.-   101. A lawn mower according to clause 100 wherein the wire has a    diameter of between 4 and 8 mm-   102. A lawnmower according to in any one of clauses 93 to 101    wherein the skirt is formed and attached to the side wall such that    the gap between the skirt and the ground is insufficient to allow    the passage of a standard finger test probe.-   103. A lawnmower according to any one of clauses 93 to 102 wherein a    guard strip is connected to the side wall on the outside of the side    wall of the mower.-   104. A lawnmower according to clause 103 wherein the guard strip is    formed from plastic or rubber.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A lawn mower, comprising: a deck, forming aplatform and having an exit aperture at the rear of the deck, a sidewall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of the deck, thedeck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space under the deck, a frontwheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and the rear of thedeck respectively, a motor attached to the outside top of the platformof the deck, having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck,the lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the centre ofthe cutting space, at least one grass cutting blade or blades, connectedto the drive shaft within the cutting space so that the drive shaftcauses the at least one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantiallyhorizontal grass cutting plane, a rear flap, connected to and pivotingfrom the top rear edge of the deck to allow,a grass catcher to beattached in use, the rear flap resting on (and in the most preferredembodiment acting as a lid for the partly open top of) a detachablegrass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, the rear flap facingdownwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of the deck when agrass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having a sub-flap which canopen and close independently of the main flap, the mower further fittedwith a biasing mechanism that is adapted to bias the flap and sub-flaptowards a closed position at least when a grass catcher is attached tothe mower.
 34. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 33 wherein the biasingmechanism is a wire, at least part of the body of the wire formed as aspring, the first end of the wire connected to the mower body, thesecond end connected to the sub flap, the connection points and thedimensions of the wire chosen such that when the flap and sub-flap areraised into a position the same as or similar to the position that theflap and sub-flap would be in with a grass catcher attached, the wireand in particular the spring portion of the wire will be in tension. 35.The lawnmower as claimed in claim 34 wherein the location of theconnection points and the dimensions of the wire are chosen so that thespring is only just in tension when the flap and sub-flap are raisedinto the same or a similar position to that which they would be in witha grass catcher attached.
 36. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 34wherein at least the first end of the wire is formed as an eyebolt. 37.The lawnmower as claimed in claims 34 wherein the wire is formed so thatthat part of the wire formed as a spring can move and pivot freelyrelative to the remainder of the wire when not in tension.
 38. Thelawnmower as claimed in claim 34 wherein that part of the wire formed asa spring is uppermost when the grass catcher is connected.
 39. A lawnmower with an integral chipper or shredder, comprising: a deck, forminga platform and having an exit aperture at the rear of the deck, a sidewall arranged around at least part of the perimeter of the deck, thedeck and the side wall enclosing a cutting space under the deck, a frontwheel set and a rear wheel set located at the front and the rear of thedeck respectively, a motor attached to the outside top of the platformof the deck, having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck,the lower part of the drive shaft located substantially at the centre ofthe cutting space, at least one grass cutting blade or blades, and atleast one chipper or shredder blade or blades, connected to the driveshaft within the cutting space so that the drive shaft causes the atleast one grass cutting blade to rotate in a substantially horizontalgrass cutting plane and the at least one chipper blade to rotate in asubstantially horizontal chipping plane, a chipper tube having an upperend and a lower end, the lower end opening into the cutting space aboveand within the perimeter of the cutting disc formed by rotation of theat least one chipper blade in use, the chipper tube having a lid whichis normally closed when the mower is operating, the lid fitted with acut-off mechanism so that if the lid is opened when the ride height orcutting height of the mower has been adjusted to above a predeterminedthreshold height, the cut-off mechanism will stop the mower engine. 40.The lawnmower as claimed in claim 39, wherein the predeterminedthreshold ride height is the lowest ride height setting.
 41. Thelawnmower as claimed in claim 39, wherein the cut-off mechanism is awire connected between the chipper tube lid and the mower engine, thelawnmower, chipper tube lid, and cut-off wire all dimensioned andadjusted so that the lawnmower engine will run without interruption whenthe lid is closed, but the wire will be pulled beyond the engine cut-offpoint and stop the engine when the lid is opened if the mower isadjusted to any point above a predetermined ride height.
 42. Thelawnmower as claimed in claim 39, wherein the lawnmower is fitted with apair of microswitches, the first microswitch connected to the lid of thechipper tube, and arranged to be open when the lid is closed, a secondmicroswitch located and arranged such that it is open when the mower isbelow a predetermined threshold ride height, such that the lawnmowerengine will be stopped from running when the lid is opened, and themower is above said a predetermined threshold ride height.
 43. Thelawnmower as claimed in claim 42, wherein the engine is stopped bygrounding the primary winding of the ignition coil.
 44. The lawnmower asclaimed in claim 39, wherein the integral lid is spring-loaded andbiased towards the closed position, the lid fitted with a catch whichoperates when the mower is set to the lowest ride or cut height to holdthe lid in a fully open position, the mower fitted with a safetymechanism so that if the ride height is adjusted away from the lowestsetting, the catch will disengage and the spring will bias the lidtowards the closed position.
 45. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 44wherein the safety mechanism is a bowden wire connected between thechipper tube lid and the mower body, the lawnmower, chipper tube lid,catch and bowden wire all dimensioned and adjusted so that when themower is in the lowest ride or cut height position, the catch can engagethe lid to hold the lid open, and if the mower is adjusted away from thelowest ride or cut height position, the bowden wire will be pulled ortensioned beyond a cut-off point to disengage the catch and the springwill bias the lid towards the closed position.
 46. The lawnmower asclaimed in claim 39, wherein the lawnmower further has a rear flap,connected to and pivoting from the top rear edge of the deck to allow agrass catcher to be attached in use, the rear flap resting on (and inthe most preferred embodiment acting as a lid for the partly open topof) a detachable grass catcher when a grass catcher is attached, therear flap facing downwards to close the exit aperture at the rear of thedeck when a grass catcher is not attached, the rear flap having asub-flap which can open and close independently of the main flap, themower further fitted with a safety clip, adapted so that at least thesub-flap cannot be raised any higher than the normal operating positionthat the flap and sub-flap would be in when a grass catcher wereattached.
 47. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 39 wherein the lawnmowerfurther has a rear flap, connected to and pivoting from the top rearedge of the deck to allow a grass catcher to be attached in use, therear flap resting on (and in the most preferred embodiment acting as alid for the partly open top of) a detachable grass catcher when a grasscatcher is attached, the rear flap facing downwards to close the exitaperture at the rear of the deck when a grass catcher is not attached,the rear flap having a sub-flap which can open and close independentlyof the main flap, the mower further fitted with a biasing mechanism thatis adapted to bias the flap and sub-flap towards a closed position atleast when a grass catcher is attached to the mower.
 48. The lawnmoweras claimed in claim 47 wherein the biasing mechanism is a wire, at leastpart of the body of the wire formed as a spring, the first end of thewire connected to the mower body, the second end connected to the subflap, the connection points and the dimensions of the wire chosen suchthat when the flap and sub-flap are raised into a position the same asor similar to the position that the flap and sub-flap would be in with agrass catcher attached, the wire and in particular the spring portion ofthe wire will be in tension.
 49. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 48wherein the location of the connection points and the dimensions of thewire are chosen so that the spring is only just in tension when the flapand sub-flap are raised into the same or a similar position to thatwhich they would be in with a grass catcher attached.
 50. The lawnmoweras claimed in claim 49 wherein at least the first end of the wire isformed as an eyelet.
 51. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 48 whereinthe wire is formed so that that part of the wire formed as a spring canmove and pivot freely relative to the remainder of the wire when not intension.
 52. The lawnmower as claimed in claim 48 wherein that part ofthe wire formed as a spring is uppermost when the grass catcher isconnected.